: Use correct HTTP status codes (e.g., 400 for bad requests, 401 for unauthorized, 404 for not found).
Never trust incoming data. A solid feature strictly validates every field to prevent common attacks like SQL Injection or Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) . API CheatSquad
: Use tools like Joi or Zod to enforce data types, lengths, and formats (e.g., ensuring an email is actually an email). : Use correct HTTP status codes (e
To write a solid API feature that is secure, scalable, and easy to use, focus on these five core pillars: 1. Robust Input Validation & Sanitization : Use tools like Joi or Zod to
: Limit the number of calls a single API key or IP address can make per minute/hour.
: Provide enough info for a developer to fix the issue without leaking sensitive system details (like stack traces). 4. Rate Limiting & Throttling
: Ensure users can only access the specific resources required for that feature. For example, a "User" should not be able to call an "Admin" delete endpoint. 3. Meaningful Error Handling A solid feature doesn't just crash; it fails gracefully.